Ranker MusicList RulesOnly artists born or raised in South Carolina or bands formed in South Carolina.
Here are the best artists and bands from South Carolina. Particularly known for its influences in the bluegrass, country, R&B, rock, and jazz genres, the Palmetto State has produced a number of memorable acts over the decades. It is also the birthplace of beach music, so if you have ever boogied while hanging out with your friends on the shoreline, then you can thank South Carolina. The best musical artists from South Carolina come from all over the state, but they have all entertained audiences with their talent.
James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, was born in Barnwell but later moved to Georgia when he was still a child. South Carolina is also the state where Hootie & the Blowfish. Singer Darius Rucker and lead guitarist Mark Bryan met when they attended the University of South Carolina. Many bands have similar stories, and some other big bands that got their start in the state include Band of Horses, Crossfade, and The Marshall Tucker Band. Other popular South Carolina artists include Eartha Kitt, Jeezy, Carolina Liar, and Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty.
Have you ever thought about who the most famous musical artists from South Carolina are? You will definitely see some big names on this list that come from a range of decades. After you read through them, vote for the singers and bands you like best.
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6616James Brown
Hip hop music, Doo-wopAlbums: Live at the Apollo, Star Time, Funky Christmas, Santa's Got a Brand New Bag, I Got You
James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter,... more2
5811The Marshall Tucker Band
Rock music, Country rockAlbums: Carolina Christmas, Where We All Belong, Beyond the Horizon, The Marshall Tucker Band, Searchin' for a Rainbow
The Marshall Tucker Band is an American rock band from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Noted for... more3
7129Darius Rucker
Rock music, Rhythm and bluesAlbums: Charleston, SC 1966, Back to Then, True Believers, Learn to Live
Darius Carlos Rucker (born May 13, 1966) is an American singer and songwriter. He first gained... more4
6323Hootie & the Blowfish
Jangle pop, Heartland rockAlbums: Cracked Rear View, Hootie & the Blowfish, Fairweather Johnson, Musical Chairs, Kootchypop
"Hootie" is a nickname for the following people: Hootie Ingram (born 1933), former Clemson... more5
385Chubby Checker
Rock music, Rock and rollAlbums: The Best of Chubby Checker: Cameo Parkway 1959-1963, You Just Don't Know (What You Did to Me) / Two Hearts, Rosie / Lazy Elsie Molly, 20 Twistin' Hits, Limbo Rock / Let's Limbo Some More
Chubby Checker (born Ernest Evans; October 3, 1941) is an American rock 'n roll singer and... more6
354Dizzy Gillespie
Afro-Cuban jazz, JazzAlbums: Night in Tunisia, The Trumpet Summit Meets the Oscar Peterson Big Four, Jazz at Massey Hall, Sonny Side Up, Giants of Jazz
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (; October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz... more7
4111Eartha Kitt
Torch song, CabaretAlbums: That Bad Eartha, My Heart Belongs to Daddy, Purr-fect: Greatest Hits, I Love Men, Purrfect: The Ultimate Collection
Eartha Kitt (born Eartha Mae Keith, January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008) was an American... more8
346Edwin McCain
Rock music, Alternative rockAlbums: Misguided Roses, Messenger, The Austin Sessions, Honor Among Thieves, Far From Over
Edwin McCain (born January 20, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His songs... more9
3613Band of Horses
Rock music, Alternative countryAlbums: Everything All the Time, Cease to Begin, Mirage Rock, Tour EP, Infinite Arms
Band of Horses is an American rock band formed in 2004 in Seattle by Ben Bridwell. The band... more10
3310Needtobreathe
Christian alternative rock, Rock musicAlbums: The Heat, Daylight, Rivers in the Wasteland, The Outsiders, Live Horses EP
Needtobreathe is an American Christian rock band from Seneca, South Carolina. The band is... more11
3513Jeezy
Hip hop music, Gangsta rapAlbums: Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, The Inspiration, The Recession, Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition, Hood Politics
Jay Wayne Jenkins (born September 28, 1977), known professionally as Jeezy (formerly Young... more12
307Aaron Tippin
CountryAlbums: Call of the Wild, Read Between the Lines, What This Country Needs, You've Got to Stand for Something, Tool Box
Aaron Dupree Tippin (born July 3, 1958) is an American country music artist and record... more13
287Toro y Moi
Indie pop, SynthpopAlbums: Anything in Return, June 2009, Underneath the Pine, Causers of This, FACT Mix 219: Toro y Moi
Chaz Bear (born Chazwick Bradley Bundick; November 7, 1986), known professionally as Toro y... more14
3112Rob Thomas
Adult contemporary music, Blue-eyed soulAlbums: ...Something to Be, A New York Christmas, Cradlesong, ...Something More, This Is How a Heart Breaks
Robert Kelly Thomas (born February 14, 1972) is an American singer, songwriter, record... more15
2913Crossfade
Rock music, Heavy metalAlbums: Crossfade, Falling Away, We All Bleed, Cold, Colors
Crossfade is an American rock band originating from Columbia, South Carolina. Their current... more16
248Peabo Bryson
Urban contemporary, Adult contemporary musicAlbums: Born To Love, A Whole New World, Through the Fire, Straight From the Heart, Anthology
Peabo Bryson (born Robert Peapo Bryson; April 13, 1951, given name changed from "Peapo " to... more17
215Jump, Little Children
Indie rock, Baroque popAlbums: Vertigo, Magazine, The Licorice Tea Demos, Between the Dim and the Dark, Buzz
Jump, Little Children was a band formed in 1991 in the city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.... more18
192Joe Bennett & The Sparkletones
The Sparkletones were an American rock and roll/rockabilly group from Spartanburg, South... more19
238Iron & Wine
Folk music, Folk rockAlbums: The Shepherd's Dog, The Creek Drank the Cradle, Our Endless Numbered Days, Kiss Each Other Clean, In the Reins
Iron () is a chemical element with symbol Fe (from Latin: ferrum) and atomic number 26. It is... more20
238Carolina Liar
Pop music, Rock musicAlbums: Coming to Terms, Wild Blessed Freedom, Drown
Carolina Liar is an American alternative rock band. Lead vocalist Chad Wolf is originally from... more21
2713Lee Brice
CountryAlbums: Hard 2 Love, Love Like Crazy, A Woman Like You, I Don't Dance (Single), Hard to Love
Lee Brice (born Kenneth Mobley Brice, Jr., June 10, 1979) is an American country music singer... more22
206Angie Stone
Alternative hip hop, Neo soulAlbums: A Gangster and a Gentleman, The Id, Instant Vintage, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul
Angie Stone (born Angela Laverne Brown; December 18, 1961) is an American singer, songwriter,... more23
162David Ball
CountryAlbums: Thinkin' Problem, Play, Amigo, Starlite Lounge, David Ball
David Ball (born July 9, 1953) is an American country music singer-songwriter and musician.... more24
162Gus Aiken
Augustus "Gus" Aiken (July 26, 1902 in Charleston, South Carolina – April 1, 1973 in New York... more25
162Arthur Smith (April 1, 1921 – April 3, 2014) was an American musician, songwriter, and... more
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